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Phillies Make Bryce Harper Decision Official Amid Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Ostrowski | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 4:55 PM ET

The Phillies' franchise icon is back... and not a moment too soon.

Bryce Harper is returning to the Philadelphia lineup Tuesday night when the club plays north of the border against the Toronto Blue Jays. Harper, who has missed the last five games after being hit by a 95 mph fastball from Spencer Strider, is batting third and playing first base.

Harper previously said on Sunday that he expected to return for this game. The decision to put him back in the field, where he's been for all but one of his appearances so far, shows that manager Rob Thomson is confident in his superstar's health.

Philly hopes that Harper's return can stop the skid they've recently been on, as the club has lost four straight games without the slugger in the heart of their batting order. That losing streak has dropped them from the best team in all of baseball to second in the NL East behind the New York Mets.

Right before the injury, Harper had completely turned around a slow start to 2025. During the month of May, Bryce slashed .308/.381/.484 with 10 extra base hits and 17 RBI. That stretch places him second on the team in OPS (.825), home runs (8), doubles (13), and RBI (33).

The Phils could sure use that offensive production back after a week where they went a measly 10-for-41 with runners in scoring position without him. Take away the five-run ninth at the end of Saturday's blowout loss and they'd have also averaged under three runs per game.

Harper and the Phillies will face Blue Jays' righty Bowden Francis, who has struggled to a 5.04 ERA through 11 starts. First pitch from the Rogers Centre scheduled for 7:07 PM EST.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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